Monday, July 04, 2005

Ten Characteristics of A True US Patriot

A TrueUS Patriot

We, the People of the United States of America, finding ourselves repeatedly misled by those charged with the care and governance of our nation, know that partisan politics have resulted in a serious breach of the public trust.

We have suffered attacks against our Constitutional rights and the founding tenets of this Democratic Republic.

We have suffered the infringement of our freedoms.

We have suffered insult to our honor and integrity as proud citizens.

We will no longer suffer in silence this continued assault that has now passed beyond intolerable.

We do hereby now and forever reject the bastardization of this nation's core principles through this proclamation, and define this reminder to our wayward leaders just what it takes to be a True US Patriot:

1

ATrue US Patriot

realizes if the rights of one are violated, the rights of all are at risk, and objects to any attempt to alter the Constitution in order to specifically undermine the rights and freedoms of others, ensuring that the Constitution will never be amended to endorse discrimination of any kind.

2

ATrue US Patriot

holds the founding principles of the Declaration of Independence to be self-evident, and defends the Constitutional rights of others even when those rights conflict with personal and religious beliefs; believing that all men are created equal, even in times of war, the basic principles of humanity apply not only to one group of people or nation, but to all.

3

ATrue US Patriot

supports the checks and balances within the three branches of government and rejects any attempts to circumvent or undermine them.

4

ATrue US Patriot

exercises the right to openly challenge and hold accountable at all times, even and most particularly in times of war, those who do not honor their oaths of office, who purposely mislead the nation, who abdicate responsibility when those in their employ are caught engaging in criminal and unethical activities, and who fail to serve the nation with integrity.

5

ATrue US Patriot

recognizes the contributions of the older generation and values the potential of the next, and that in order to promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves, our elders, and our Posterity, we must ensure that the basic rights of those we hold dear to access quality healthcare and education is steadfastly supported, uncompromisingly and without discrimination based on race, color, creed, gender, or orientation.

6

ATrue US Patriot

believes that human rights are inherent to the human condition and should not be given to non-living entities; the rights of corporations should not equal or exceed the rights of any individual, and the right to fair and equal trade as well as fair and equal pay are a vital part of those expectations.

7

ATrue US Patriot

recalls that our citizens consist of the tired and the poor, huddled masses yearning to breathe free, the ‘wretched refuse’, and homeless, tempest-tossed people, and welcomes fair and balanced immigration with managed borders to ensure an open policy while maintaining and increasing security for both those who would call this land their home as well as those who already dwell within.

8

ATrue US Patriot

respects the personal religious choices of others, refrains from imposing their own beliefs upon others, refuses to support war in the name of religion, and offers foreign humanitarian aid unconditionally without tying it to religious dogma.

9

ATrue US Patriot

knows that due process of law and the protections against illegal search and seizure are core principles upon which our nation is founded, and the respect of an individual's right to privacy and security within their own home is critical to the preservation of our freedom.

10

ATrue US Patriot

respects the diversity and culture of all nations, recognizing that our continued success lay not in spite of other nations but in alliance with them in a uniform approach toward promoting the global general welfare.

These ten basic tenets characterizing a True US Patriot can perhaps best be summed up in the words of Eric Zorn of the Chicago Tribune, paraphrased below:

ATrue US Patriot

loves what his country stands for, not necessarily what his country does, and will not shrink from holding America to her ideals¹.

__________________

¹Eric Zorn, The Chicago Tribune, "Durbin should have stood up for his opinion", June 23, 2005.__________________

Our 'leaders' have taken to calling each other 'un-American' and 'un-Patriotic' a lot lately. This list of ten characteristics of 'A True US Patriot' was compiled by a group of US Citizens both here and abroad. Let this list serve to help remind those who serve us that these terms were not meant to be bandied about like a club, bludgeoning opponents into submission.

Write or call the toll-free numbers of all your elected officials— from your local town/city council members to the President of the United States— and tell them about ATrue US Patriot. Let them know about this blog. Tell them that True US Patriots created this list, together. Ask your newspaper why it hasn't published an article on this subject. Let your friends and neighbors know about it.

Pass it around!

It's time for our elected representatives to be reminded - this is our country, our nation, and they serve both it, and us.

It's time to tell the media that it must live up to the role of champion of the truth, and ask the tough questions.

68 Comments:

Your blog is being posted all over Delphi Forums, and I'm about to "diary" it on the Daily Kos. You've written a hell of a piece. Congratulations. Let's celebrate this Independence Day by resolving: by next year's 4th, this country will be free from tyranny, corporate Tory fascists, and radical Republican crazies.

Isn't patriotism followed by nationalism, the stepping stone to fascism?

Why should one be patriotic? Should not one love one's neighbour? And who is one's neighbour? That poverty stricken African in Chad or a HumVee owning gallon guzzling right wing Christian fundamentalist in Idaho?

I come from country X, my wife is from country Y, two of our children are from country Z, Our other children are from countries X, Y and Z. Our sons-in-law are from countries Y and Z. Our grandchildren are from countries Y and Z.

Which country should I be patriotic to? In what form should I show this patriotism? (Visit my correspondence with an "educated" American at http://koti.netplaza.fi/~findians/AntiWar/USEducated/educated.html )

It is short-sighted to think in terms of patriotism. One should respect ALL one's fellow travellers on this globe immaterial of where they come from - that is true patriotism to this globe.

I recall several years ago when we were living in country X, the Embassy of country Y, my wife's country, wrote to her to register with her Embassy so she could be evacuated if there were problems in country X.

She asked them what would happen to her husband and children, none of whom at that time had citizenship for country Y. She was told that they were not included in the Embassy evacuaton programme.

My wife told her Embassy exactly where to put their evacuation programme!!

Jacob,Patriotism to nationalism sounds suspiciously like yet another 'slippery slope' argument. And patriotism has not a thing to do with facism.

Ya know, this is a call to US citizens about the US government. Would it be better if the whole world were perfect? Certainly. But until we get our own little corner straightened out, we can't very well mess with others. Nor should we. And assuming that anyone, an individual or a country, has the right to dictate anything to another country is part of the problem. Let each person hold accountable those that govern them. I'm not going to tell the government of South Africa what to do and how to do it. I don't live there, I don't know their laws. If I did, i'd help change the bad ones. I'd hold that government accountable. I'm here, this is obviously a call to try to clean up my corner of the world so that I CAN help others with theirs.

What country should you be patriotic to? You need help figuring out your citizenship, or where you live? That's YOUR decision. I'm not here to run your life, no other blogger is either.

But until we've conquered our own demons, we're no help to another with theirs. Works for almost any circumstances!

Which is the one country which has interfered most in the lives of other countries citizens over the last 50 years. And this is by the electred governments of that country - both Republican and Democratic.

As an individual you may claim that you are being a patriot to your country and not interfere with others, but as a country the US has caused the most chaos on this globe. Need I say Korea, Vietnam, Chile, El Salvador, Nicaruga, Afghanistan, Iraq - do I need to list more? The excuses are many, no doubt.

Those who have done so, is in the name of "patriotism".

Let us ask another question -

Do you support your troops? If so, do you support those troops, the 82 Airborne Division which did the mass slaughter of innocents in Fallujah?Were those troops being patriotic in following the orders of their Commander-in-Chief?

So long as one hides behind the flag of patriotism - what you have is the situation you have today on this globe.

If you have patriotism for the sake of peace - good for you. But patriotism is only called for in the case of WAR. Peace loving people do not need to shout their patriotism to anyone.

Jacob, your comments make it appear that you are opposed to the efforts of the creators of this document, that outline what it means to be a True US Patriot, as something not worthy of the effort that went into it. Your comments make it appear that you are opposed to returning this great nation to the direction our Founding Fathers intended it to go.

Your comments make it appear that you support the further eroding of what this great nation once stood for . . . are you among those who are praying for, and working toward, the destruction of all this nation once held dear?

Patriotism is not the problem. True Patriotism sees what is going wrong in one's nation and attempts to correct it, as this document appears to be attempting to do. The problem is with those who do not understand what True Patriotism means. I suggest you read the document again, and this time, try to read it with understanding.

I am questioning what patriotism, of any sort, leads to finally. I am asking some simple real life questions based on my real life experiences. These are not third party experiences.

None of you have provided me with an answer except to stop asking me to be idealistic.

Are the members of the US Airborne 82 Division patriotic to your country when they slaughter innocents? Do you applaud them or condemn them?

If so, was not the work of the Nazis patriotic for the German nation.

You can certainly shut your eyes and ears so as not to hear the facts. Remember 70% of Americans cheered the invasion of Iraq - Why? Patriotism, ill placed patriotism.

You could have heard the testimony about the 82 Airborne Division at the World Tribunal of Iraq if you wanted - it was on live on the Internet. But the American mainstream Media refused to cover it. Why? Patriotism?

By all means be as patriotic as you want but understand where it will lead you to - Bush apologists.

Am I against this site or any other site - no, everyone is entitled to their point of view - and I have mine and that is I am not patriotic to any nation, for obvious reasons. But neither am I unpatriotic towards any nation. I am first a human being and you are a traveller on the same planet as me. Patriotism of any nature does not enter into my equation.

>> So long as one hides behind the flag of patriotism - what you have is the situation you have today on this globe. <<

That's giving into the fallacy that leads to such situations. It is not 'patriotism' that gives one deniability - it is blind nationalism. The history and tradition of the founding of the US is set within the framework of the right to dissent. That's part of US Patriotism.

Wrapping oneself in a flag and claiming to be patriotic while blindly violating the founding tenets of one's own nation is simply mis-named nationalism, a trait you correctly applied to fascism but in a manner suggestive of a slippery slope argument against patriotism.

>> If you have patriotism for the sake of peace - good for you. But patriotism is only called for in the case of WAR. Peace loving people do not need to shout their patriotism to anyone. <<

Then perhaps you should re-read the blog entry.

It is the misuse and abuse of the term "Patriot" that this growing group of citizens tired of. That was the reason for this document.

The United States, which celebrated its start along the road to independence and freedom two hundred and twenty-nine years ago yesterday, needs to remind itself what a true patriot is, and what patriotism means.

It does not mean to support the leadership if that leadership takes steps which are violations of the nation's founding, core tenets.

Re-read the paraphrased quote, attributed to Eric Zorn of the Chicago Tribune. " A True US Patriot loves what his country stands for, not necessarily what his country does, and will not shrink from holding America to her ideals¹." The ideals - the founding ideals, not necessarily the ones which are currently 'spun' - inspired this blog entry. Because, on the anniversary of the day that the nation's founders declared Independence from a leadership that violated what truths they held to be self-evident, we find ourselves once again facing leaders and a mainstream media that no longer reflect those truths.

We, the People, have decided that we must once again make our voices heard, and stop the misuse and redefining of words to justify ways and means that undermine our national foundations.

That's the importance of patriotism in the United States.

It unites the people to accomplish goals that secure the rights and freedoms for all, including the right not to be invaded or destroyed, including the right to object to misleading information and false justifications for war, and - ideally - ensure that this nation once again takes its place as a leader, not a bully, in the international community.

Re-read the document. Particularly the preamble, followed by characteristic #10, and the Zorn quote.

And feel free to point it out to others, particularly in the media and the Congress. We need to take back the stolen definitions that have been set to work undermining our core principles. And we've started with this one.

Thank you - I re-read the document severeal times. That is why I posed the question - whom do I owe patriotism to?

The very concept of patriotism is one which drives one to conflict. I would have to show my patriotism to "my" country, the country of my wife, the countries of my children and my grandchildren. All are based on different founding principles. I would rather not show patriotsm to any but learn to live together as people around the world of different races, colours, religions, etc.

A country like India, where I grew up, was highly secular. But "patriotic" Hindu fundamentalists are NOW carving up that country. (Did you see how they prevented Sonia Gandhi from becoming the Prime Minister - something only driven by patriotic forces, as you also have in the US that only a person born in the US can be the President. India did not have that restrictive provision but the "patriots" forced that situation. I am not a supporter of Sonia Gandhi but I am a siupporter of the founding principles of the Indian Constitution.)

The dividing line between nationalism and patriotism is so fine to vanish if the population is illiterate.

And the bulk of American population, in my mind, is illiterate as only then could I accept that 70% of the nation thought that Saddam was behind 911, that Iraq had WMD, had no notion that they had been responsible for the deaths of over a million children by the sanctions regime in place (remeber what Madelin Albright said), had no notion that the Americans gave Saddam the OK to attack Kuwait, had no notion that the fake videos out of Kuwait in Gulf War 1 were creations of American media, hadf no notion that Judith Miller was pushing the Ahmed Chalbi war scenario, etc. etc.!! (I once again refer you to my web page of my correspondence wiith the "educated" American. Also listen to George Galloway's testimony to Norman Coleman's Committee.)

My wife's country, Finland, highly developed in many many ways have people who are highly "patriotic" but also highly xenophobic. This is because of the brain-washing compulsory Army service which makes zombies out of grown men. Imagine all of them jumping out of bed at 5:30 am to go and stand in the bathroom with the toothbrush poised in front of their mouths - that is what creates patriots and zombies.

You have the two extremes in this and the comparisons have made it possible for me to see the "evils" of "patriotism".

I am sorry to be so negative.

I THINK YOUR WEB SITE IS VERY IMPORTANT, BUT SHOULD YOU NOT HAVE A DISCUSSION ABOUT PATRIOTISM ON IT IF IT IS TO BE A RESPECTED SITE.

Or would you prefer everyone to have your own views (like Bush's town haöll meetings) about patriotism like those army zombies? If so, I will shut up and go away.

>> I am questioning what patriotism, of any sort, leads to finally. I am asking some simple real life questions based on my real life experiences. These are not third party experiences. <<

No, you are not questioning - you have decided what it leads to, and are projecting that belief.

>> None of you have provided me with an answer except to stop asking me to be idealistic.<<

No one has asked you to refrain from idealism.

The folks here have commented that you have missed the whole point of the post. You still appear to be missing it.

>> Are the members of the US Airborne 82 Division patriotic to your country when they slaughter innocents?<<

That's a larger issue. Before we, as a nation, can address it, we have to put the constant spin cycles on hold, and get at the truth - starting with the true meanings of phrases.

>> If so, was not the work of the Nazis patriotic for the German nation.<<

You insist on ignoring the previously-made points that we have, as a group, been making: the nationalism of fascist Germany was 'called' patriotism, and the attempts to engender nationalism within the US is being called 'Patriotism'. We seek to stop that misuse and misapplication of the term.

Many terms are being twisted in use and definition. We're starting with this one. We'll move on from there. Once we start challenging every misapplied term, every attempt at 'spin', it will be easier to manage our leaders.

>> You can certainly shut your eyes and ears so as not to hear the facts. Remember 70% of Americans cheered the invasion of Iraq - Why? Patriotism, ill placed patriotism. <<

You may believe as you wish - you are neither the focus of our document, nor our concern.

>> You could have heard the testimony about the 82 Airborne Division at the World Tribunal of Iraq if you wanted - it was on live on the Internet. But the American mainstream Media refused to cover it. Why? Patriotism?<<

You presume that all Americans are like the one you exchanged letters with, or are incapable of intellectual thought. Those who assembled to put this document together are quite aware of the world outside the US border.

>> By all means be as patriotic as you want but understand where it will lead you to - Bush apologists. <<

That is your assessment, as an outsider.

>> Am I against this site or any other site - no, everyone is entitled to their point of view - and I have mine and that is I am not patriotic to any nation, for obvious reasons. But neither am I unpatriotic towards any nation. I am first a human being and you are a traveller on the same planet as me. Patriotism of any nature does not enter into my equation.<<

If you actually read the document, you'd see that it is within the recognition of all people being equal that we base our founding principles. Patriotism is not nationalism, and need never be confused with it, if the people refuse to give in to propaganda.

In that you hold your humanity as the unifying facet common to all humankind, so too do we. That is what our nation was founded upon. And that is what has been systematically lost in the shuffle, and - especially lately - relegated to refuse heap.

>> Thank you - I re-read the document severeal times. That is why I posed the question - whom do I owe patriotism to? <<

That is for you to decide.

We are addressing those who choose to use and apply the term "A True US Patriot".

>> The very concept of patriotism is one which drives one to conflict. I would have to show my patriotism to "my" country, the country of my wife, the countries of my children and my grandchildren. <<

"Have to"? No, that smacks of fascism.

>> All are based on different founding principles. I would rather not show patriotsm to any but learn to live together as people around the world of different races, colours, religions, etc. <<

And those are admirable principles, one worthy of aspiring to. And it's part of what we have stated, in the tenth characteristic listed: "A True US Patriot respects the diversity and culture of all nations, recognizing that our continued success lay not in spite of other nations but in alliance with them in a uniform approach toward promoting the global general welfare."

>> A country like India, where I grew up, was highly secular. But "patriotic" Hindu fundamentalists are NOW carving up that country. (Did you see how they prevented Sonia Gandhi from becoming the Prime Minister - something only driven by patriotic forces, as you also have in the US that only a person born in the US can be the President. India did not have that restrictive provision but the "patriots" forced that situation. I am not a supporter of Sonia Gandhi but I am a siupporter of the founding principles of the Indian Constitution.) <<

The prinples underlying India differ than those underlying the US. And what you term "patriotic" may or may not apply to what "A True Indian Patriot" is, but it does not apply to what the original meaning of "A True US Patriot" is.

Each country, each culture, has traditions upon which it is based.

>> The dividing line between nationalism and patriotism is so fine to vanish if the population is illiterate. <<

Yes. Hence, the fifth characteristic - "A True US Patriot recognizes the contributions of the older generation and values the potential of the next, and that in order to promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves, our elders, and our Posterity, we must ensure that the basic rights of those we hold dear to access quality healthcare and education is steadfastly supported, uncompromisingly and without discrimination based on race, color, creed, gender, or orientation."

>> And the bulk of American population, in my mind, is illiterate as only then could I accept that 70% of the nation thought that Saddam was behind 911, that Iraq had WMD, had no notion that they had been responsible for the deaths of over a million children by the sanctions regime in place (remeber what Madelin Albright said), had no notion that the Americans gave Saddam the OK to attack Kuwait, had no notion that the fake videos out of Kuwait in Gulf War 1 were creations of American media, hadf no notion that Judith Miller was pushing the Ahmed Chalbi war scenario, etc. etc.!! (I once again refer you to my web page of my correspondence wiith the "educated" American. Also listen to George Galloway's testimony to Norman Coleman's Committee.) <<

What you are identifying is exactly the trend of misinformation that we are railing against. That is why the fourth characteristic was listed, "A True US Patriot exercises the right to openly challenge and hold accountable at all times, even and most particularly in times of war, those who do not honor their oaths of office, who purposely mislead the nation, who abdicate responsibility when those in their employ are caught engaging in criminal and unethical activities, and who fail to serve the nation with integrity."

>> My wife's country, Finland, highly developed in many many ways have people who are highly "patriotic" but also highly xenophobic. This is because of the brain-washing compulsory Army service which makes zombies out of grown men. Imagine all of them jumping out of bed at 5:30 am to go and stand in the bathroom with the toothbrush poised in front of their mouths - that is what creates patriots and zombies. <<

Yet, read what you have written - "because of the brain-washing compulsory Army service which makes zombies out of grown men". You are still associating the misappropriation of the term "Patriotic" and the application of enforced nationalism.

Patriotism in the US was founded upon the principle of dissent, and that aspect is being heavily fought and ignored by those who seek to have unquestioned authority in their questionable pursuits.

We will no longer stand by and permit this to occur.

>> You have the two extremes in this and the comparisons have made it possible for me to see the "evils" of "patriotism". <<

No, the evils of what Orwell called "doublespeak" and propaganda, and the evils of nationalism.

>> I am sorry to be so negative. <<

You are reflecting what you have witnessed - what you have had to endure, or watch others endure. And you have not only the right to be cautious and skeptical, you have - as a human being - the inherent freedom of thought and speech to express that.

You are doing us a favor by challenging our vision, not out of spite, but instead to verify our integrity. I - and my fellow patriots - thank you for that. We feel that you may not understand where we are coming from in terms of our heritage, but it is quite likely that you are more than capable of grasping our point through this dialogue, as you are well-spoken and articulate.

>> I THINK YOUR WEB SITE IS VERY IMPORTANT, BUT SHOULD YOU NOT HAVE A DISCUSSION ABOUT PATRIOTISM ON IT IF IT IS TO BE A RESPECTED SITE. <<

Thank you for that - we, too, feel it is important. And because of that, and due to our aversion to the continued subjugation of our native language by those who seek to erase the line between "patriotism" and "nationalism", and who seek to quell dissent, we disagree. We feel that this is a critical starting point, which will recall our heritage as obstinate, troublesome, intelligent rabble to all those who have been in a zombie-like sleep that has lasted several decades, while our country slowly and methodically sailed off-course.

>> Or would you prefer everyone to have your own views (like Bush's town haöll meetings) about patriotism like those army zombies? If so, I will shut up and go away. <<

You are seeing only the negative - and dangerously, sadly, comical aspects of the Bush Administration. (Not that there are necessarily any other ways of viewing it.) Other elected US officials have open meetings, where they do not cherry-pick participants and questions. They understand that they must take the wheat with the chaff, in order to properly represent the citizens they serve.

The Bush Regime does not.

And, through our efforts, we intend to awaken the spirit which lies within the hearts and souls of all US Citizens, in order to put such shameful inadequacies of leadership to an end.

Through intelligent, thoughtful, and dissenting voices.

Watch, continue to ask, and - if you find that there is even a glimmer of hope in what you read here, please feel free to spread news of this site, and our efforts.

We are, after all, only human. Like everyone else. ;)

(And no worries about the spelling errors - I figured they were simply from typing too fast...I don't know if I can put up a spell checker or not, but will look into it.)

First, some of the American "Interference" in the lives of other countries was to PREVENT "Chaos," not cause it, and often at the request of those countries (World War II, the first Gulf War????).

Second, as many have already pointed out, the very essence of patriotism is aimed at a COUNTRY, NOT a government. In America, the basis for patriotism stems from the phenomenal concepts and philosophy brought to the world by the Founding Fathers during the formation of the DOI and Constitution.

Primarily the concept that governments only governs at the behest of the people. Therefore, being against your government when that government goes AGAINST the will of the people is part of the essence of patriotism.

America's interference in the affairs of other countries should only be in order to assist the peoples of those countries in obtaining the same kind of "at the behest of the people" freedom and liberties that we supposedly have in the US.

I don't buy the domino theory. Love of family doesn't lead to hatred of others, and love of country doesn't have to lead to hatred of other countries.

You have confused jingoism or chauvinism with patriotism. That some in leadership in the US call their jingoism patriotism doesn't help, nor does defending racism on the grounds of proteching their family, but this statement is testimony to the real patriotism.

Patriotism: Love of and devotion to one's country.

Nationalism:1. Devotion to the interests or culture of one's nation.2. The belief that nations will benefit from acting independently rather than collectively, emphasizing national rather than international goals.3. Aspirations for national independence in a country under foreign domination.

Jacob said: I am questioning what patriotism, of any sort, leads to finally

Status quo?

Jacob said: Are the members of the US Airborne 82 Division patriotic to your country when they slaughter innocents? Do you applaud them or condemn them?

You may be confusing loyalty and duty with patriotism. You seem to have a big problem with the war, and in fact so do I. However, I do not fully agree with some of your characterizations of the troops and their actions.

Are you suggesting that we are attacking non-military targets? That the orders are to specifically slaughter innocents? Or are you pissed because innocents are getting killed along with militants? There is a HUGE difference there.

Let me ask YOU a question - Was Saddam a good guy? Is his removal from power a good thing or a bad thing?

Yes, I to abhor the death of innocents, but unless they were the specific target of the attack, and not unintended collateral damage, then it is NOT appropriate to blame the troops themselves. Yes, the commanders should be questioned regarding the loss of innocent life, but for the troops to mutiny, they would have to know beyond a doubt that their orders were to murder innocents instead of to attack military targets.

Hell no! THAT was because the American media are lap dogs of the Administration. In fact the very point of this patriot piece is that patriotism is NOT loyalty to the government.

Jacob said: By all means be as patriotic as you want but understand where it will lead you to - Bush apologists.

No, exactly the opposite. You have misconstrued the piece entirely because you are blaming patriotism for the crimes of the Administration. That could be because you confuse patriotism with blind support of Government. Nothing could be FURTHER from the truth or from the points made by this piece.

Before I comment on any of the replies - may I suggest you read the final verdict of the Jury of Conscience of the World Tribunal on Iraq after 2 years of investigations and FIRST HAND testimony.

(You will find the verdict and the complete final report on my blogs (http://jmpolitics.blogspot.com for 28th June 2005 and http://MoveTheUN.blogspot.com for 27th June 2005 )

Prior to the 2004 US elections all Americans could happily have claimed that it was the misdeeds of the Bush cabal. After the 2004 elections - it is America that is responsible and takes the blame as a nation for the war crimes now being committed.

I condemn Saddam but in the same breath I condemn the US who actually kept this tyrant in power, armed him and was party to ALL his horrible deeds (including the invasion of Kuwait).

Do I condemn Saddam? Yes, but it did not give the US any right to invade and remove him.

Why has Saddam not been brought to trial even after 2 years - because of the complicity of the US - that is YOU as your country brought Bush back to power.

I am an ardent supporter of Congressman John Conyers Jr for the single handed fight that he is waging. He is a true world citizen.

You want me to condemn Saddam but not US citizens who brought Bush back to power.

If you are peace loving patriots - Remove Bush NOW - not tomorrow, not after your 2006 elections. Just as in Georgia, Ukraine, etc.

Do you know that your country has assumed powers to remove anyone from anywhere and transport them to any place of their choosing to torture them?

Is that equal to or worse than what Saddam was doing? Listen to this testimony which was presented to the World Tribunal.

Does this give other countries the right to invade your country and remove Bush and kill thousands as acceptable colateral damage because Bush is an evil tyrant? And if you resist this invasion as a "patriot" - then should you be labelled as an INSURGENT?

Condemn Saddam all you want but your wilful neglect in condemning US forces that deliberately, even as I write this, are targeting civilians in Iraq (the El Salvador factor introduced by Negroponte in Iraq) is your brand of patriotism and support for your troops that I cannot accept it. (Please read Riverbend of the Baghdad Burning blog!!)

Patriotism thrives on IGNORANCE. The 70% support for the invasion of Iraq was because of IGNORANCE / Patriotism. Listen to the testimony of George Galloway.

The 70% for the invasion of Iraq was not ignorance, it was because 70% of us knew that we needed a presence in the Middle East because of the extreme Islamic buildup by Terrorists in the whole Region. With the long term goal of preventing further terrorists attacks in this Country.

Patriotism = "You have given us something more than money," said al-Jaafari, who visited wounded U.S. troops Thursday night at a military hospital. "You have given us a lot of your sons, your children, that were killed beside our own children in Iraq ... This is more precious than any other kind of support we receive

Maddie said: Patriotism = "You have given us something more than money," said al-Jaafari, who visited wounded U.S. troops Thursday night at a military hospital. "You have given us a lot of your sons, your children, that were killed beside our own children in Iraq ... This is more precious than any other kind of support we receive

That's a very strange definition of patriotism.

Maddie said: Patriotism to a Moslem Extremist is cutting off someones head with a saw!

How would you know this? Are you one?

...that's also a pretty strange definition of patriotism. However, none of the definitions you've cited reflect the nature of 'A True US Patriot'.

We've provided the definition for you. Feel free to reflect upon it, and share it with anyone who is also confused by the definitions applied by others, esp. if they are attempting to define the patriotism of the United States in the terms of other nations and cultures.

Maddie said: 27 comments does not make a true patriot or a "We the People"

No, but several hundred web sites, a bunch of discussion forums, hundreds of Google references, plus over 50,000 downloads of the document in flyer form, and over 5,000 manually distributed handbills with requests for lots more - all on a holiday when few people are on their computers - certainly makes for a good case.

Those numbers are JUST from the July 4th holiday.

Folks were requested to post the whole flyer, no need to link back, in order to ensure that the word got out.

Very few folks even knew that this site was going up when their flyers and pages were created.

We're being stealthy little Patriots. Just like our role models and predecessors. ;)

Maddie said: The Patriots of our past had the support of the nation, the majority of the nation.....

And don't forget France. The Patriots of our past (and now) have the support of France.

Maddie said: You are fighting a losing definition of the word patriot!

Technically, we aren't fighting.

We are restating the truth, bringing it back to the table.

You appear to be very concerned about that. Is there a hole in the flag you've draped yourself in? Or is it on fire?

>>> >> In case you missed this $104,655.60 Ad in Washington Post>> >> At last, here's someone with the money to fund a rebuttal to what >> >> one>> >> normally hears about Republicans. It doesn't matter if you are one or>> >> not, surely it's a clear insult when someone says many Republicans >> >> have>> >> never done an honest day's work - like Howard Dean claimed in a recent>> >> speech. If this information gets around, maybe the perception will>> >> change.>> >> The following full page ad was placed in the Washington Post by a>> >> businessman named George J. Esseff, Sr.>> >> He paid $104,655.60 to run the ad and only did it because he is sick>> >> and tired of the way that "The Rich" are portrayed by liberals these>> >> days.>> >> It is a great read!>> >>> > * *>> > * *>> >>Maybe you're a Republican???>> >> In today's America, ask a growing number of high school and college>> >> students; their teachers and professors; the self-anointed media elite>> >> and/or hard working men and women of all ethnicities, the question,> "What>> >> is a Republican?", and you'll be told"... a rich, greedy, egotistical>> >> individual, motivated only by money and the desire to accumulate more> and>> >> more of it, at the expense of the environment. The working poor... >> >> and>> >> all whom they exploit...">> >> I am a Republican. I am none of those things ... and I don't know> any>> >> Republicans who are.>> >> WHAT I AM first and foremost, is a loving husband of some 52 plus>> >> years, the father of four and an American who's proud of his >> >> country...>> >> and his country's heritage.>> >> WHAT I AM is the grandson of immigrants who risked every-thing,>> >> including their lives and those of their children, to escape tyranny >> >> in>> >> search of freedom.>> >> WHAT I AM is a man who grew up during the Depression and witnessed,>> >> first hand, the effects of the Stock Market crash and the soup lines> that>> >> followed. I watched as both my parents and grandparents, who had very>> >> little themselves, share what food they had with a half dozen other>> >> families, who had even less.>> >> WHAT I AM is someone who worked his way through college by holding> down>> >> three and four jobs at a time and then used that education to build a>> >> better life.>> >> WHAT I AM is a husband who, at age 24, started his own business for> the>> >> "privilege" of working 60, 70 and 80 hours a week, risking everything >> >> I>> >> had, including my health, in search of a better life for myself and my>> >> loved ones.>> >> WHAT I AM is a businessman whose blood, sweat and tears... and >> >> plenty>> >> of them..., made it possible for me to provide a secure living, not> only>> >> for my family and myself, but also for literally hundreds of my> employees>> >> throughout the years. Employees, who in turn, were able to buy their> own>> >> homes, raise their own families and give back to their communities and>> >> their country.>> >> WHAT I AM is a man who believes in God; a God who has blessed this>> >> country... and all for which it stands.>> >> WHAT I AM is someone who knows, if you doubt miracles exist in> today's>> >> world; you need only to look into the face of those who received> them...>> >> and the eyes of those who give them.>> >> WHAT I AM is an American who's proud that his President embraces a>> >> belief in God; proud of a President who understands, as "politically>> >> incorrect" as it may be, there is evil in this world and for the> security>> >> and safety of all freedom loving people everywhere, it must be>> >> confronted... and it must be defeated.>> >> WHAT I AM is an American who takes comfort in the knowledge that our>> >> President refuses to allow decisions concerning the very safety and>> >> security of this nation, to be governed by the political whims of> foreign>> >> governments.>> >> WHAT I AM is tired of hearing from leading Democrats who see only>> >> negativity in America; racism in her people; class warfare in her> society>> >> and "political incorrectness" in her character.>> >> WHAT I AM is a former democrat who now understands that it is the>> >> soldier and not the reporter that guarantees us our freedoms of press,>> >> speech and dissent.>> >> WHAT I AM is a man who believes in the sanctity of life. A man who> is>> >> repulsed by the pandering of the political left for votes, at the> expense>> >> of the unborn.>> >> WHAT I AM is a husband and father who believes in the sanctity of>> >> marriage and the preservation of the family unit.>> >> WHAT I AM is a ex-movie goer who is repulsed by those insecure,>> >> socially inept, elementary thinking, ego-inflated "entertainers" who> have>> >> appointed themselves "experts" in the fields of national security and>> >> geo-politics and then use their forum to attack this nation, its> leaders>> >> and its actions... much to the delight and encouragement of our> enemies.>> >> WHAT I AM is an American who understands the difference between>> >> "censorship" and "choice". Evidently, these individuals do not,> because>> >> when these same "celebrities" receive public ridicule for their> offensive>> >> actions, the first thing they yell is "Censorship!" What they seem>> >> incapable of understanding is... the right of free speech and dissent> is>> >> shared equally by those offended... as well as those who offend. I>> >> support and will continue to support those films and performers whom I>> >> choose to and refuse to support those I don't. It is my right as an>> >> American a right I will continue to enthusiastically exercise.>> >> WHAT I AM is a voter, tired of politicians, who, every time their>> >> voting records are subjected to public scrutiny, try to divert> attention>> >> from their political and legislative failures by accusing their> opponents>> >> of "attack ads" and "negative campaigning"... and the news media who>> >> allow them to get away with it.>> >> WHAT I AM is a Catholic who loves his God and his Faith... and who's>> >> been taught to respect all religions whose teachings are based in >> >> love,>> >> peace and charity. As such, I am embarrassed and ashamed of those>> >> individuals, in both private and public life, whose decisions and> actions>> >> are devoid of any sense of character or morals; individuals who are> only>> >> driven by what's best for them... rather than what's right... often> times>> >> at the expense of many... including our national security.>> >> WHAT I AM is a realist who understands that the terrorist attack >> >> that>> >> murdered hundreds of innocent Russian children could have occurred> here,>> >> in our heartland. That's why I sincerely believe America needs now,> more>> >> than ever, a President who sees with a clear and focused vision and >> >> who>> >> speaks with a voice when heard by both friend and foe alike, is>> >> understood, respected and believed.>> >> WHAT I AM is eternally grateful to Ronald Reagan for having the> bravery>> >> to speak out against Communism and the courage of his convictions in>> >> leading the fight to defeat it; and George W. Bush for the vision,>> >> courage, conviction and leadership he has shown in America's war on>> >> terrorism amidst both the constant and vicious, personal and political>> >> attacks both he and his family are made to endure.>> >> WHAT I AM is a human being, full of numerous faults and failures, >> >> but> a>> >> man nonetheless, who, though not always successful, has continually>> >> strived to do "what's right" instead of "what's easy". A man who is>> >> challenging the religious leaders of all faiths, to not only preach to>> >> their congregations the fundamentals of "what's right" and "what's>> >> wrong", but to also then hold them accountable for their actions in> both>> >> the public and private sectors.>> >> WHAT I AM is disgusted with the Courts who, on one hand, call the>> >> murder of a pregnant woman a "double homicide" but then refer to the>> >> abortion of her baby as, "pro-choice".>> >> WHAT I AM is someone deeply troubled by a political party which>> >> embraces a candidate whose primary "leadership" qualities center >> >> around>> >> his protesting of the Vietnam war and his labeling the honorable men> and>> >> women who fought in it, (50,000 of whom gave their lives in that> action),>> >> as rapists, and war criminals. (John Kerry). That same political >> >> party>> >> then stepped forward this year to block the appearance of a true> Vietnam>> >> war hero, retired Admiral and former United States Senator, Jeremiah>> >> Denton, (a man who spent seven years and seven torturous months in a>> >> North Vietnam prison), from speaking before an open session of the>> >> California legislature as part of that state's 4th of July >> >> celebration.>> >> The reason Democrats gave for refusing to allow this American hero to>> >> speak before their state legislature was because of the "conservative">> >> nature of his views. As an American, that troubles me deeply... as> well>> >> it should you. (Are you listening Mr. B?)>> >> WHAT I AM is a man who feels the need to spend, ONE HUNDRED & FOUR>> >> THOUSAND SIX HUNDRED & FIFTY FIVE THOUSAND DOLLARS ($104, 655.60, tax>> >> paid) of his own money, to purchase this advertisement, in order to >> >> set>> >> the story straight. Some may say this money would have been better> spent>> >> feeding the world's poor. At the risk of sounding self-serving, as an>> >> American and as a Republican, for the last six decades of my life, I> have>> >> done exactly that... and more. Following the examples of my parents> and>> >> grand parents, I have used my earnings to feed the poor, shelter the>> >> homeless, provide housing for the elderly and medical care for the>> >> sick... and continue to do so... and I'm not alone in that work.>> >> WHAT I AM is someone who is paying for this announcement, at my sole>> >> expense, in hopes of opening the eyes of those led blindly by>> >> ill-informed elements of our great nation, who, through either> ignorance,>> >> or malicious intent, repeatedly attack and belittle those of us who>> >> belong to a political party that holds true to the belief, "... the>> >> rights of the governed, exceed the power of the government". For >> >> those>> >> interested, I am speaking only as a tax-paying individual who is in no>> >> way associated with The Republican National Committee, nor with any of>> >> its directors, or delegates.>> >> WHAT I AM is a man who understands, "the American way of life" is a>> >> message of self-empowerment for all.>> >> WHAT I AM is an American who is grateful that our nation gives each> of>> >> us the opportunity of self-determination and the right to benefit from>> >> the fruits of self achievement.>> >> WHAT I AM is an American who wants to preserve that way of life for> all>> >> who seek it.>> >> WHAT I AM is blessed to be an American... and proud to be a> Republican>> >>> >

Just an FYI - the Patriots who united to define, refine, communicate, and distribute the information in this blog are a mix of parties and philosophies. Both Republican and Democrat, as well as Libertarian and Green. Each one rose above the partisan politics that have been undermining our nation, and each one has taken the time to reach beyond the spin to find the facts. And where the truth was found wanting in the actions and statements of politicians on both sides, among accusations by each of the other's failed 'patriotism', the citizens realized that it was 'Patriotism' which was slurred and bandied about. It was 'nationalism'.

The spurning of rhetoric and the discovery of elements of truth glimmering beyond the intentional wordplay of elected leaders on both sides brought these diverse citizens together, much akin to the myth of the 'American melting pot'.

This is not an email service for passing along self-stroking messages. This is a "Comments" section of a blog, meant for thoughtful commentary.

Goodness gracious, Maddie! It appears you posted that in the wrong blog, or did you really intend to go so far of the topic presented in this blog? If so, I'll offer you a bit of advice, as the way that is posted, nobody is going to get the message.

I think it's something about Republicans bragging about needing more money for their spin machines, but I'm not sure, it's so broken up. Its presentation really does put a bad face on whatever the message is meant to be, and the party it represents.

This document, "A True US Patriot" appears to really disturb you. I am very interested in reading exactly what in it you find to be so disturbing. Do you find anything in it that goes against the Constitution of the United States? If so, would you mind pointing it out so we can discuss it?

Sorry, I was busy yesterday. I think I had better establish my credentials about knowledge about your country.

I think I may be quite informed about US politics. Besides being a daily reader of DemocraticUnderground , where I post regularly, and Buzzflash (which headlines you will find on my blog), I read and contribute to almost all the blogs that were listed in a reply.

Additionally, I listen daily and correspond directly with Mike Malloy, Thom Hatmann (7 hours at a stretch as I even listen to his Portland, Oregon programme), Peter Werbe, Mike Webb, Ray Taliaferro, liberal talk Show host Mark Levine, John Rothmann. (many of them use my comments on several issues. I listen to Bernie Ward, Randi Rhodes, Tony Trupiano, Nate Clay. Further I contribute regularly to Congressman John Conyers Jr.'s blog. I also contribute to Steve Clemons and the Coffee Shop Blogs. I read the statements of Dennis Kucinch with great interest. I was one who was actively behind the emailing campaign to help Barbara Boxer stand up in the Senate to contest the 2004 election. Additionally, I am strong critic of Democratic Senators Barrack Obama, Joe Biden, Bill Nelson, etc. I even wrote strongly to Congressman Jim Sensenbrenner after his performance at the recent House Judiciary Committee meeting!!

So understand, although I am not an American, I am deeply concerned in the direction where your country is going as it is dragging down the whole world into a mire.

In my humble opionion, the definition of patriotism is the very problem. Love of one's country.

Is not love of your fellowmen more important than blind love of one's country? You may accuse me of being an idealist, but then what are you? I am also doing things to further my idealism - such as talking to you!!

Further, I gave you my personal situation where I MUST love all the countries that my immediate family are a part of and it cannot be more or less than the love I have for my own country. Further, I have dear dear friends from over 30 to 40 countries, and I love them and their countries as they have never done me any harm. In return, they show their love to me and my entire family. That was the philosophy of my Findians fortnightly which used to reached over 130000 people around this globe till I shut it down about a year ago.

My grandson, a 8 year old Finn, asked me which country I support when Finland plays against India, I answered him that I like the sport and it does not matter which country wins, so long as they both play a fair and good game. I have had a similar conversation with my 8 year old grandddaughter, a Brit!!

If you ascribe everything negative to other than patriotism, so be it. I ascribe it to patriotism. Your failure to condemn US forces, as that would make you unpatriotic, shows how your ideology restricts your freedom. If the Indians or Finns did something as terrible as what the Americans are doing today, I would be at the forefront to criticise them.

Many years ago, when I was publicly criticising the Finnish Government, they almost seized my web site. I had to site my domain name outside of Finland.

Your 10 principles may sound very nice - but in my humble opinion they ARE the very problem. I would suggest that your goal should become patriotic to the globe rather than the US. Country borders just do not exist when it comes to pollution, poverty, and all the other major problems facing the world, including globalisation. But that is another story as you would condemn China and India for doing what the US did, and the fruits of which the people of US enjoyed for many tens of decades. Now outsourcing is a bad word....

>>Jacob Matthan said...Sorry, I was busy yesterday. I think I had better establish my credentials about knowledge about your country. <<

:) "Life happens".

>>Jacob Matthan said...I think I may be quite informed about US politics. Besides being a daily reader of DemocraticUnderground , where I post regularly, and Buzzflash (which headlines you will find on my blog), I read and contribute to almost all the blogs that were listed in a reply.<<

That's wonderful. A good selection of alternative information - and you go on to list quite a few other spots, in the next point.

>>Jacob Matthan said...Additionally, I listen daily and correspond directly with Mike Malloy, Thom Hatmann ...[snip]... I even wrote strongly to Congressman Jim Sensenbrenner after his performance at the recent House Judiciary Committee meeting!!<<

You certainly have been active, and exposed to quite a lot of diverse elements of US culture.

>>Jacob Matthan said...So understand, although I am not an American, I am deeply concerned in the direction where your country is going as it is dragging down the whole world into a mire.<<

As are we. ;)

>>Jacob Matthan said...In my humble opionion, the definition of patriotism is the very problem. Love of one's country.<<

While the last point - the quote from Mr. Zorn - states that a patriot loves 'what his country stands for', it does not state that a patriot simply and blindly 'loves his country'. That's important.

Remember that it's a summary. The list of 10 points does far more toward the definition of a patriot, and what the country stands for. It is capable of stressing that the blind love of one's country doesn't make a US Patriot, but the heritage - the inherent rights and freedoms, the concern for the equality and security of one's fellow man, the pursuit of freedom and happiness as a right of all humanity. Those elements and ideals embody what 'A True US Patriot' considers 'the country' - and vastly differ from the nationalistic approach of blind support.

Hence, the other two parts of the summary quote come into play - "... loves what his country stands for, not necessarily what his country does..." because we (so far) still live in a form of democracy, and not everyone will agree with the decisions made by our 'elected' leaders, and (perhaps most importantly), a 'True US Patriot' will not shrink from holding America to her ideals".

>>Jacob Matthan said...Is not love of your fellowmen more important than blind love of one's country?

It most certainly is.

The point above answers this part completely.

>>Jacob Matthan said...You may accuse me of being an idealist, but then what are you? I am also doing things to further my idealism - such as talking to you!!<<

Our goal isn't to affect your idealism, but to help you understand ours.

>>Jacob Matthan said...Further, I gave you my personal situation where I MUST love all the countries that my immediate family are a part of and it cannot be more or less than the love I have for my own country. <<

And that's perfectly understandable.

>>Jacob Matthan said...My grandson, a 8 year old Finn, asked me which country I support when Finland plays against India, I answered him that I like the sport and it does not matter which country wins, so long as they both play a fair and good game. I have had a similar conversation with my 8 year old grandddaughter, a Brit!!

Then you have done a great job of teaching them the love of sports as well as great sportsmanship. Very commendable - but that still isn't grasping the concept of US Patriotism. Hopefully, what we've elaborated upon a little earlier in this response has shed some light upon it.

>>Jacob Matthan said...If you ascribe everything negative to other than patriotism, so be it. I ascribe it to patriotism. Your failure to condemn US forces, as that would make you unpatriotic, shows how your ideology restricts your freedom. <<

And yet, you still make assumptions.

We're not blogging about the US Forces, good or bad.

We are stating that a strong and vital part of our heritage, and 'True' patriotism, includes the right to dissent and to criticise.

If you expect us to 'rant' about other topics and get on the bandwagon of others, that's an invalid expectation. This blog isn't the place for any of that. There are other places, many of which you yourself have cited, where those of us who feel compelled to participate are taking part.

>>Jacob Matthan said...If the Indians or Finns did something as terrible as what the Americans are doing today, I would be at the forefront to criticise them.<<

And you presume, however, that we are not providing any criticism? Please re-read the preamble.

Our approach, here, is to address one piece of the problem. That's not to say that this is the only form of action all of those involved here are taking. And that's been repeatedly pointed out to you.

>>Jacob Matthan said...Your 10 principles may sound very nice - but in my humble opinion they ARE the very problem. <<

>>Jacob Matthan said...I would suggest that your goal should become patriotic to the globe rather than the US. <<

Re-read both point #10, and the initial comment made to you by the reader 'dd'.

>>Jacob Matthan said...Country borders just do not exist when it comes to pollution, poverty, and all the other major problems facing the world, including globalisation. <<

Jacob, those other topics are for other sites. This site deals explicitly with the US and her citizens.

>>Jacob Matthan said...But that is another story as you would condemn China and India for doing what the US did, and the fruits of which the people of US enjoyed for many tens of decades. Now outsourcing is a bad word.... <<

And that's completely out of left field.

Jacob, do not confuse the objectives of this site with other issues you hold dear. Regardless of what others among us may feel on a variety of issues, this site addresses the characteristics of 'A True US Patriot', and is working to realign the definition back toward what our history, our heritage, and our forefathers once used it as.

That's a key element toward getting the US back on track and quelling the "spin" that has washed over nearly all elements of US life. Without first eliminating the effect of that, the US and her citizens cannot steadfastly and productively contribute in an effective manner to any of the others issues you cite.

It is obvious you want to limit the discussion to a very narrow platform and not all the ramifications of patriotism. (Not this, not that, not troops, not pollution, not globalisation, not corporatism, not...)

That is foolhardy, as patriotism is a combination of the values of a country - and the values of your country are exactly how you are living, your huge consumption of oil disproprtionate to your population, your huge spending on defence, your huge sales of arms to other countries, the use of mercenaries, etc. - Those are your countries values as we see it from outside of the US.

I do not know if you heard Tony Blair talking about the terrorist attack on London and the defence of the values of the the US and UK!! -

What about the daily terrorists attacks in Iraq which kill hundreds of innocents BECAUSE of the values of US and UK!! Are they standing up and doing everything to stop that - no the Americans there sit safely inside the Geeen Zone!!

The internet is global and what you write on your blog will be read by many like me who will then turn around and say that you are just a bunch of hypocrites as you fail to accept reality on the ground. Do you love what your country stands for - the killing of innocents by your forces, the huge disproportionate use of energy, the huge contribution to pollution by your country. That is what we see US values today are!!

Jacob said: It is obvious you want to limit the discussion to a very narrow platform and not all the ramifications of patriotism. (Not this, not that, not troops, not pollution, not globalisation, not corporatism, not...)

Jacob, you obviously miss the point of this blog. You are also obviously, whether it is your intent or not, doing what you can to highjack this blog to rant about your own favorite issues.

The whole point of this blog, which you totally ignore, is to build a foundation for correcting wrongs that have been committed under an erroneous perception of what it means to be "A True US Patriot."

Since you feel so much more strongly about discussing your issues, rather than the point of this blog, I suggest you supply the URLs to your own blogs so that we can discuss your issues with you there, where they would not be out of context.

As for THIS blog, let's take the 10 defining characteristics of A True US Patriot one at a time. First, what in #1 is it that you oppose? I repeat it here for your convenience:'1 A True US Patriot realizes if the rights of one are violated, the rights of all are at risk, and objects to any attempt to alter the Constitution in order to specifically undermine the rights and freedoms of others, ensuring that the Constitution will never be amended to endorse discrimination of any kind.'

I do not have any intention of hi-jacking this or any other blog. As I said, if you do not want to discuss the basic principles and dangers of Patriotism, then I will happily go away.

You want to discuss the 10 points.

My submission is that the very statement of the points is a wrong philosophy to follow. The rights of all are at risk if you are a True Patriot as the principles of a Patriot are based on a narrow idea of what the world is about in relation to YOUR patriotic devotion to your country.

If however, you based your principles on the Declaration of Human Rights - then I think you are nearer to solving the problems facing your country and the world.

The American Constitution is deeply flawed. You have different levels of citizenship - so basing your principles on the American Constitution itself is a violation of Human Rights!!

Jacob - I think that you and I and the designer of this piece are all on the same side.

You seem to be attacking patriotism, when in fact you are attacking patriotism as defined, used, abused, and wielded as a weapon by the Administration and the Right-Wing. The very purpose of this piece was to expose that bastardization of the concept by the Administration and return us to a more accurate picture of what patriotism is.

I think that we all agree that the mis-use of the concept of patriotism that you have posted here are just that - an abuse of the concept.

you say: "believing that all men are created equal, even in times of war, the basic principles of humanity apply not only to one group of people or nation, but to all."

Does the criminal, terrorist, the men who rape and kill little boys, the terrorists who blow up innocence, count? Sure they were created equal, but by their actions and freedom to decide what kind of people they would become, they lose their rights. I say hang em high! In my definition of patriot, they have no meaning. They lost their rights.You say,... "knows that due process of law and the protections against illegal search and seizure are core principles upon which our nation is founded, and the respect of an individual's right to privacy and security within their own home is critical to the preservation of our freedom."

I say: If you commit a gross crime like blowing up an explosive device on a train, I hope they tape your calls, illegally enter your home, and kill you before you ever get a trial.

You say, respects the personal religious choices of others, refrains from imposing their own beliefs upon others, refuses to support war in the name of religion, and offers foreign humanitarian aid unconditionally without tying it to religious dogma"

I say, yes you can have freedom of religion, I say if your religion is of the distorted type that preaches killing of Jews and Christians or of any other religion, I say......blow up your mosques where you are planning these type of killings, you lost your right. I wish the Buddhists that were exterminated in India by the moslems had felt this way.

In summary, we are born with a right to be a patriot everyone of us. If we decide to abuse this right, well....I only hope my government is not so political correct that this type of person is treated like patriot, but rather treated like the criminal he is.

Maddie said: Does the criminal, terrorist, the men who rape and kill little boys, the terrorists who blow up innocence, count? Sure they were created equal, but by their actions and freedom to decide what kind of people they would become, they lose their rights. I say hang em high!

SO do I, BUT unless we apply the just, fair, and American process before we hang them (just like we would with an American citizen), unless we refrain from using nationality, race, color, religion, or some other demographic as proof of guilt, THEN we become as bad as they are.

Maddie said: In my definition of patriot, they have no meaning. They lost their rights

Once again, how you arrive at a determination of an individual's categorization into the groups you call "terrorist" or "criminal" is the heart of the matter when discussing, not so much patriotism, but more equality, liberty, justice, and fairness. Your criteria should be the same for all.

Maggie said: If you commit a gross crime like blowing up an explosive device on a train, I hope they tape your calls, illegally enter your home, and kill you before you ever get a trial.

LOL! This is a "cart-before-the-horse" conundrum! How are you going to know if I did those things without the illegal investigative tactics coming first? And you will also not know if I am innocent until AFTER you have violated my privacy. So, your tactics are impossible to apply.

The justice system in this country is based on the premise that it is better to let a hundred who are guilty off the hook rather than convict a single innocent person. It may not always work out that way, but that is why the protections are so strong.

I too am often frustrated by the over-protection of privacy and rights, with rampart and unpunished crime being the result. I would like to see the rules relaxed somewhat, but be VERY careful when you head down THAT slippery slope! IMHO, the Patriot act has gone too far, AND the REAL motives behind the act are not to convict more criminals and terrorists, but rather to tighten the control over the American people.

Maddie said: I say if your religion is of the distorted type that preaches killing of Jews and Christians or of any other religion,

And these religions would be??? Be careful not to confuse the actions of radicals and extremests with the precepts of a church or religion.

Maddie said: In summary, we are born with a right to be a patriot everyone of us. If we decide to abuse this right, well....I only hope my government is not so political correct that this type of person is treated like patriot, but rather treated like the criminal he is

And thus it is with ALL rights. Abuse them, and you lose them. The problem is defining and determining what constitutes abuse, identifying the culprits, and applying the "loss of rights" equally and fairly.

you said, "And thus it is with ALL rights. Abuse them, and you lose them. The problem is defining and determining what constitutes abuse, identifying the culprits, and applying the "loss of rights" equally and fairly."

I say, a man with a bomb attached to the bottom of his sneaker in an airplane.....yea that's someone who deserves to have their rights protected by you.

But I feel, that man is a threat to my birthright. The pursuit of life and happiness.

That man deserves no rights, even if by chance he goes to court and his lawyer says that he never had any intention of using the bomb, and gets him off on a technicality.

I say any man who straps a bomb to his shoe, deserves to be stripped of his rights.

I say any man who had Shasta with him in Dennys, had bones of her brother found where he lived, and was driving a stolen car...deserves no rights or protection.

I think in cases of extreme terrorism and very obvious sex crimes it is very EASY to distinquish a patriot from a criminal.

Unfortunately for our Country, it is people like you that give more protection to the criminal element. By doing this, you take away the rights of good people.

I think a lot of what you have to say, is based on your hate for the current administration. You are failing to let the majority rule, you are failing to let the majority voice be heard, and you are having difficulty accepting the fact that your opinions on this are the opinions of the minority.

However you do fit in well with the ACLU, which has done more damage to our Country than any Patriot Act.

you said, To Maddie: The email that you posted is apparently an equivalent Republican variant of this:"A Day in the Life of Joe Republican"

I say.........public blog, freedom of speech? If you don't want people to say what they have a right to say on a public blog, then don't allow comments. LOL, you are taking people's rights away by dictating what you want them to say. Ban me from you blog if you have a problem with what i post.

Maddie claimed...I say.........You are more worried about protecting criminals then allowing a blogger to write what they feel......

You would say that, because you do not support the basic tenets underlying this nation.

It is not the criminals who need protection, but the innocent who are accused of crimes and punished without a trial. Without ensuring fair trials for all, the innocent suffer.

That's why "innocent until proven guilty" was a founding cornerstone of the US Justice System. Only those who would arrogantly support a false sense of self-justified 'eye-for-an-eye' punishment, ignoring this basic tenet, would be so bold as to assume that they know 'what is best' for everyone else.

That's where they turn from the path of True Patriotism, and begin to run alongside extremist religio-centric regimes like the Taliban.

Why do you support the Taliban, Maddie? Aren't you a 'True US Patriot'? Don't you support the founding principles of this nation that you claim to love?

Maddie claimed...So this is my last post as it is obvious you would rather people who don't agree with you to not post what they would like to post.

Not at all, Maddie. You dumped something that you'd taken from an email into this blog. You didn't even take time to clean it up. That's littering. And spamming.

And not 'free speech' - those were not your words. Your own words failed you.

And that's a statement which makes no sense even in the context of what you typed. I suspect you were thinking and typing furiously to attempt to get your multiple posts in.

Thank you for saying you would not return.

And thank you, as well, for providing such a great example of exactly what we mean when we say that the term "A True US Patriot" has been taken and twisted for purposes that are anything but supportive of what "A True US Patriot" really is.

You've done a lot to help us illustrate the corruption of thought that goes deep into the hearts and souls of our fellow citizens, and with that example our success at returning true meaning and use to the term is all but guaranteed.

Majority rule, aka democracy, only works until the majority figures out how to vote themselves rich, to paraphrase several writers.

If 51% of my neighbors vote themselves the new owners of my money and property, does that make it right? I submit that the majority are and will remain ignorant sheep by choice and preference. They have no use for freedom. The best that we can hope for is shepherds that will lead them into green pastures instead of to the slaughterhouse.

The statistics I've seen say that only around five percent of the population supported the Declaration of Independence in 1776. Probably only five percent would support it now.

m.astera said...Majority rule, aka democracy, only works until the majority figures out how to vote themselves rich

Fortunately, our democracy is tempered by checks and balances to ensure that the minority voices were also heard. So far, those are still in place, albeit tenuously.

m.astera said...The statistics I've seen say that only around five percent of the population supported the Declaration of Independence in 1776. Probably only five percent would support it now.

Count me in.

Excellent! We always have need of others to help us make our voice heard.

If you could help point folks to our flyer (available at either Freedom Press or The Whispering Campaign) and to MailToBlog, where they can get a place to email or fax it to, we can help remind the members of the House and Senate to keep our founding principles intact when they vote on extending the Patriot Act. They take up a review about extending portions of it next week...

I believe that's "crock", and you failed to identify what kind of crock.

...soup? Like a nice fish or clam chowder? Mmmm...no. That wouldn't make sense now, would it.

...gold? I can see that. These ten 'nuggets' actually find their origins in the founding documents as well as major SCOTUS decisions that helped make the USA a strong nation, based on truth and justice.

Yes, it's an amazing 'crock' of gold. Timely, too, in that it helps un-spin the notorious and vapid remarks of those currently aiding and abetting a known traitor in the White House.

I'm glad it made an appearance. Thanks for inspiring me to share it with others, too. :)

This country is not made of rock and earth, nor does it consist of wood or meadow, nor plain or mountian, shore stream or lake, nor the trout, the bear, deer or eagle, it is not made of town or city, nor the road in between. It is made of People. And not just any people. It is made of people who believe in things, some right, some not. It is made of People who have decided among them selves that regardless of thier differances they are all People, and are there fore much more alike than they are different.

It doesn't matter who I look at, I know, by the proof of my soul, that person has the same needs I do.

It is a refection of this knowledge of the humanity of each other that we have togeather created government and written law with the express intention not of holding one another down, but rather of supporting one another, and that most especialy in hard times.

Such times have been brought to our door. Intentionaly. By a small group of hyper rich assholes.

And this is against our law.

Calling it patriotism does not make it patriotism. It remains as it was, Jingoism. And a radical stripe of it.

I contradict the Jingoists, thusly :

Instructions for the Government of Armies of the United States in the Field (Lieber Code). 24 April 1863

Art. 80. Honorable men, when captured, will abstain from giving to the enemy information concerning their own army, and the modern law of war permits no longer the use of any violence against prisoners in order to extort the desired information or to punish them for having given false information.

Kertis said... It is a refection of this knowledge of the humanity of each other that we have togeather created government and written law with the express intention not of holding one another down, but rather of supporting one another, and that most especialy in hard times.

Excellent description.

Kertis said... Such times have been brought to our door. Intentionaly. By a small group of hyper rich assholes.

:) ...you noticed that too, eh?

Kertis said... And this is against our law.

So far.

Kertis said... Calling it patriotism does not make it patriotism. It remains as it was, Jingoism. And a radical stripe of it.

That's probably more accurate, in it's usage by this Administration, than our defining of their misuse of "Patriotism" as 'nationalism'.

That is why we thought we'd do our level best at breaking out what the original meaning of the term was - recalling it to prevent the misuse of it as part of jingoistic or nationalistic newspeak.

Patriotism is love of one’s own country. Like Socrates respecting Athens, which he considered to have protected his life and his nurturing from birth to death, a patriot feels gratitude and love for his country, including her citizens and her institutions. In addition to his love for his fellow citizens, Socrates also loved the truth. And he loved the virtues of the soul: Wisdom, Courage, Temperance and Justice. He spent his life promoting, in the individuals, the society and the institutions of Athens, the quest for these virtues, because they are the very things that result in the good (the health, well being and happiness) of the state and the individual. He chastised those who sought only material things and pleasures, while neglecting the good of their souls.

It follows from this that “my country, right or wrong, “ is not patriotism, nor is “my son, right or wrong” an expression of true parental love. If one loves one’s children, or the members of one family, one wishes for them to be Wise and Courageous and Temperate and Just. A good father will do everything he can to promote the true happiness of his children. Those who are truly patriotic and who truly love their country will do the same for its citizens and institutions.

The recognition of the universality of man and of justice would require that a patriot would also seek the same happiness for all nations, which ought to be the motivation behind our interference in the affairs of other countries, from Darfur to Bosnia to Iraq. And sometimes it seems to be. But, nowadays, it is too often motivated by other purposes, and we are disgraced. And our sons and daughters are maimed and slaughtered for purposes that are good, in name only.

"My country right or wrong. When right, to keep right; when wrong, to put right." Senator Carl Schurz, 1872

I think you explain what patriotism is and should be, and distinguish it from nationalism or jingoisim, quite well. As a response to the attacks of our current regime on dissent, your blog is most timely and useful.

are you all happy with the current canidates for president well i am not either of them have not displayed what our country needs we need a leader in the whitehouse not a senator

I NEED SOME HELP PLEASE FROM YOU READ myspace.com/jdc48 profile/blog

IF YOU AGREE THEN YOU MUST CONTACT ME by e-mail I NEED TO HEAR FROM YOU, THEN FORWARD TO YOUR FRIENDS feel free to ask me anything you wish and if you agree with me we might be able to make and change history

AND HISTORY MAY SHOW THIS IS THE YEAR THAT THE AMERICIAN PEOPLE TOOK BACK CONGRESS AND SENATE j/dFINALY PLEASE DO THIS ADD ME AS A FRIEND AFTER YOU CHECKED ME OUT AND AGREE OR DISAGREE SO I CAN SEND YOU MORE INFORMATION ON WHY YOU SHOULD ELECT ME AND YOU CAN ASK ME DIRECTLY WHAT YOU WANT IF I DO GET ELECTED AS PRESIDENT I PROMISE I WILL ALWAYS KEEP MYSPACE AVAILIBLE TO YOU SO YOU WILL HAVE A DIRECT LINE TO ME I NEED EVERYON I CAN GET BECAUSE I NEED SO MANY SURPPORTERS TO PUT MY NAME IN BY September AND BECAUSE OF MY BELIEF IN YOU THE AMERICAN PUBLIC WE CAN FIX OUR COUNTRY PROBLEMSTHANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME

The Eagle is flying across America with a copy of the US Constitution waving in her talons; Thomas Paine is pleading for "common sense"; the light in the Statue of Liberty seems to be dimming; the moral fabric of America is shredding...will good men and women do nothing, or reclaim America from corrupt politicians?

I am curious are the people of this country loosing or have they lost their sense of direction.Because they that give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety. And so often we bow to the will of the Government instead of rising up with a strong voice and saying I will not be moved for fear of imprisonment or fear of death for things that are neither wright nor are they decided upon by the will of the people ,todays government tramples the very thing that our fore Fathers fought and died for ,and the princples that this Great Nation was founded upon.I will no longer be a silent Majority if we do not stand up very soon we will be a country of slaves and our children will pay the cost in blood for they will be slaves of a Debt than canot be repayed in 10 generations Reveloution is a hard word but somtimes the tree of liberty must be refreshed .(Patrick Henry) Said it best is life so dear,or peace so sweet,as to be purchased at the price of chains or slavery? Forbid it,Almighty God! I know not what course others may take but as for me; Give me libery or give me Death. To some this me be to strong of a comment but as for me and possibly a few others I belive it is time for big Government and corporate entities to pay for their mistakes instead forcing them off on the people of this country while they sit high on their throne and direct while they should be imprisoned for what they have done.

today is the begining of a bright future for the united state o americia go to youtube.com and look at jdcriveau checkout all videos and now is the time for us to go into action now is the time for all tobe counted and is the begining of the real unforeseen future the time after 2012 our paths can and will be reset as our forefathers has planned for this great country so i ask that you go to youtube.com and check ot those videos under jdcriveauand now stand up and be counted

Thank you so much for this wonderful description of a true patriot. My only request is that you amend the statement that "all men are created equal" to state that all people are create equal" in order to clarify that women are included as well. When the Declaration of Independence was written, women were not considered equal and had no right to vote, so the term "men" reflected that exclusion. Women today deserve language that intentionally includes them as equals in every statement about the political rights and responsibilities of citizens and patriots. Thank you for considering this amendment.

Pottawattamie County v. McGheeThe justices of the Supreme Court struggled Wednesday to figure out whether they should allow lawsuits against prosecutors for framing a suspect. Iowa prosecutors, backed by the federal government and prosecutors across the country, contend that there is "no freestanding constitutional right not to be framed."

Siding with the prosecutors in court Wednesday was the U.S. government, represented by Deputy Solicitor General Neal Katyal. Like Sanders, Katyal asserted there is no constitutional right not to be framed.

Rather than roll the dice via argument before SCOTUS, and take a chance the Court may close the Constitutional Loophole part way, the out come of that case before the SCt. was mooted when:

UPDATE: The settlement was for $12 million.

Pottawattamie County v. McGhee, the biggest case on prosecutorial immunity in years, has been dismissed by agreement. Details here. http://www.omaha.com/article/20091231/NEWS01/701019961